The Mudariki Post

By   Lloyd Pollak First published in exhibition catalogue for My Reality, Mudariki's  first solo exhibition in 2012 Richard Mudariki is an award-winning Zimbabwean artist who has exhibited widely in Harare, Cape Town and Johannesburg. He has been living in South Africa for the past year, and My Reality , his first solo exhibition, presents a body of work that reflects the ongoing crisis that obtains in the country of his birth.  However, despite the title, his paintings make no pretence to portray real events. They candidly admit that they are fabrications in which old master compositions, poses and plastic sequences of interlinked figures, are severed from their original historical context, and projected into a fresh frame of reference where their meaning is transformed, so that they comment on the iniquities of the Mugabe dictatorship, and draw attention to other injustices of far wider import. Mudariki’s work can be profitably compare...

As another year draws to a close, it prompts reflection on our experiences, both triumphs and setbacks, and urges us to contemplate the future ahead. With the looming possibility of another recession on the horizon, life feels even more uncertain. In a thought-provoking discussion on Art Times, Mary Corrigall was asked about the potential positive impact of a recession on the art world. Her response offers a nuanced perspective, suggesting that while recessions may challenge the commercial aspects of art, they also present an opportunity for the industry to reevaluate its values and reconnect with its deeper purpose. Corrigall's notion of art reconnecting with its "soul" resonates deeply, echoing sentiments expressed by Johans Borman in the preface of an exhibition catalogue. Borman's words evoke the idea of artists bravely baring their souls on a blank canvas, emphasizing the raw authenticity and emotional depth inherent in artistic expression. The year 2011 proved t...

The Zimbabwe German Society in Harare hosted a curated two-man exhibition of paintings, drawings and graphics by emerging visual artists Richard Mudariki and Mukudzei Muzondo on the 5th of April 2010.  The exhibition, curated by Richard Mudariki, was officially opened by the Cultural attache at the German Embassy, Petra Schimdt. Included in the exhibition were artworks  art were are not only aesthetically appealing but that also catch the attention of the viewer. The artists explored various and exciting techniques in an expressive manner, ideas media and themes. The exhibition was a visu al representation of each artist’s reflections of Zimbabwe’s past, present and hopes of the future. The artworks mirrored the society that the artists live in, reflecting through visual images, its aspirations, concerns, fears and hopes. An engagement and exploration of a variety of media and techniques in present in the artworks in this show. The two artists believe that creati...

A new exhibition at the National Gallery of Zimbabwe in Harare is set to challenge perceptions and ignite conversations about Zimbabwe's socio-political landscape over the past decade. "Hope and Despair" features the works of nine emerging artists, each offering a unique visual commentary on contemporary life in Zimbabwe, was officially opened by London-based art critic and curator Christine Eyene. Among the featured artists are Calvin Chimutuwa, Muthabisi Pili, Tafadzwa Gwetai, Portia Zvavahera, Mercy Moyo, Richard Mudariki, Warren Mapondera, Zacharia Mukwira, and Virginia Chihota. Through a diverse range of techniques, styles, and narratives, these artists present a compelling portrayal of the challenges and triumphs experienced by Zimbabweans during this period of hope and despair. Raphael Chikukwa, the curator of The National Gallery of Zimbabwe, expressed his enthusiasm for showcasing these emerging voices and providing them with a platform to shine. He emphasized t...

Many emerging contemporary visual artists have collaborated and honed their craft at the Good Hope Art Studios in Cape Town. Among them are Dion Cupido, Tafadzwa Tega, Cinga Samason, Richard Mudariki, Sophie Peters, Vivian Kohler, Zolani Siphungela, and Mncedi Bodlo.  The Community Arts Workshop, established by Robert Robson, facilitated workshops at the historic Castle of Good Hope, lasting anywhere from two weeks to three months. The artists found these workshops so enjoyable and inspiring that many were reluctant to leave when they concluded. Consequently, some artists chose to rent space from the Castle of Good Hope management, effectively transforming the Community Arts Workshop into the Good Hope Art Studios (GHAS) in 2006. Since then, GHAS has continued to operate under this name, providing a nurturing environment for artists to create and collaborate. For over a decade, Good Hope Art Studios has served as a beacon of creativity and community in Cape Town's art scene. Fo...